SC issues notice to state govts on rights of orphaned children

The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notice to the West Bengal Government and all the other state governments after hearing a petition filed by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) accusing the West Bengal Government of gross violation of rights of the orphaned children.

A three-judge bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra and also comprising Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud, made it an all India case and issued notice to all the states, including West Bengal Government.

The NCPCR had alleged that the WB Government had illegally formed an ad-hoc committees for adoption and given away orphans for adoption in gross violation of law and rules. The NCPCR, said, when it sought answers from the state, the Calcutta High Court had stayed the NCPCR proceedings against the state.